about 3,000 people in the city died there in the disaster. >> when i wanted to come, i couldn't find the information. for foreigners. i was with a lot of foreigners and none of them could speak japanese at all. so i was always translating for them, and speak to the homeowners or something, what do you want. i realized this is something i can do to kind of help foreigners. >> albana arrived soon after the disaster, but he found it hard to get information about what he could do to help the survivors. local governments were unprepared for volunteers who weren't japanese. he began talking directly with people who needed help. removing wreckage or clearing out mud from underneath houses. he responded to any requests. this is the head quarters of "it's not just mud." it's a private house that has been left empty since the disaster. some members of the group have been living here for over a year. >> i love japan for many reasons and i've always wanted to come here. so i actually wanted to come ever since that day. >> reporter: so far, about 1,000 volunteers from 30 countries and territories